Stop means for sheet-handling apparatus.



P. l. DREHER. STOP MEANS'FOR SHEET HANDLING'AFPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I6. 1914.

Patented June 15, 1915.

WITNESSESI C22 (*5 72mm INVENTOR.

% PAEN FFICE.

PHILLIP moon panties, 03: octane, GHIQ.

STQIE nserts For. snnnr Specificetionof Letters Patent,

-EANDLING APEABATUS.

elent d Jun 15.. 1 1

Application filed October :8, 1914. Serial No. 868,344.

appertains to make and use the same, refers ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates particularly to stop means for sheet printing or feeding apparatus.

The primary object of my invention is the provision in combination with an actuating mechanism for a sheet printing or feeding apparatus of means which is pneu matically operable to stop the actuating mechanism when the last sheet of a pile or set has been acted on by the apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

The invention is fully described in the following specification and while in its broader aspect it is capable of embodiment in numer- 'ous forms a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical arrangement of a portion of an apparatus embody- ,7 mg my invention. Fig. 2 1s a frontelevation of the sheetholding table with parts broken away, and Fig. 3 is a section of one of the pneumatically controlled operating units of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates asheet holding table, which, 1n the present instance, is disposed. on an incline and may be associated with a typewriter or other apparatus to which sheets are intended to be intermittently fed. The table 1 is intended to support a plurality of sheets of paper or other material, one over another in pile form and has associated therewith a mechanism for successively or intermittently feeding the sheets of a pile from the table, the

feeding taking place from the top of the pile.

The feeding mechanism for the sheets may be similar to, that described in my prior United States Letters PatenaNo. 1,070,021, dated August 12, 1913, or it may be of any other suitable character as desired. The Sheet feeding mechanism illustrated in the present instance comprises one or more arms 2, which are pivoted to the table, and carry a hollow shaft 3, at their free or swinging ends. The shaft 3 is provided with one or more laterally projecting picking-up mouthpieces 4, which are in communication through the. hollow shaft3 and a tube 5 with a. sue, tion jdhdiiit 8. The conduit 6 has a suction creating device 7 disposed therein, which device is operated in the present instance by an electric motor 8. A spring 9 acts on each arm 2 to normally retain it in outwardly swung relation to the table so that the sheet picking up cups 4 normally stand at the outward imit of their rocking strokes.

The arms 2; in the present instance are two in number, as shown in Fig. 2, and are rigidly connhcted together by a cross-bar 10,

one end of which cross-bar is'connected by v a rod or link 11 to the movable part 12, of'a pneumatic operating unit 13. numerous forms of these pneumatic operating units on the market and it will be suffi' cient for an understanding of the operation of the invention to describe one'formonly thereof, which is shown in detail in Fig. 3. In this figure ll d signates the body or stationary part of the unit, and 15 the interior of the bellows or collapsing portion of the unit. The body 14 is provided with a chem:

. There are ber 16, which has a passage 17 in communication with a suction means, as, for instance, the suction device'l'. The chamber lfislso has communication with the interior of the bellows 15 through a passage 18. A diaphragm 19 is disposed in the chamber 16 and divides it'into two compartments, one of which has communication with both passages'l'? and 18, while the other has valve controlled communication with the atmos phere through a passage 20, as hereinafter more fully described. A disk-valve 21 is disposed in the passage 18, and has its stem projected into the chamber 16 and attached tothe diaphragm 19. When the valve is raised by suction action thereon-from within the chamber 16 it closes the communicationbetween such chamber and the passage 18, and when the valve is lowered, due to atmospheric pressure in the passage 20 upon the diaphragm'lta; it is lowered and 0 the commun cation between the chamber 16.

and passage 18 and closes the opening 22 from the passage 18 to the atmosphere. It is thus apparent that when the passage 20 in the operating unit is opened to the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure will rush into said passage and act on the diaphragm 19 to force the valve 21 to open the passage 18 to the chamber 16, thereby permitting an immediate exhaust of air from the interior of the bellows part 15 due to the suction action within the chamber 16, and effecting a consequent sudden collapsing of the movable part 12 of the unit. A small bleed opening 23 is provided between the passage 20 and suction chamber16 to permit any air remaining in the passage 20, after a closing of the same to the atmosphere, to be slowly drawn therefrom into the suction chamber 16 to relieve the pressure on the side of the diaphragm 19 opposed to the valve.

In the present arrangement, the suction passage 17 of the unit 13, which serves to communicate inward swinging movements to the arms 2, has connection through a tube 24 with the suction conduit 6, and the passage 20 of the unit has communication through a tube 25 with onerof the passages of a tracker 26, over which tracker a master control sheet 27 operates, as is well understood in the art. When a perforation in the master-sheet 27 moves into register with the passage in the tracker 26 with which the tube 25 communicates, communication is established between the atmosphere and the passage 20 of the associated operating unit thereby effecting a movement of the valve 21 of the unit to open the passage between the suction device and the interior of the bellows l5 and effect an inward or collapsing movement of the movable part 12 of the unit 13. The movement thus imparted to the part 12 is commu nicated through the rod or connectin member 11 to the arms2 and" moves sue arms and the picking up mouth pieces 4 inward to sheet engaging or picking up position.

\Vhe'n the communication between-the passage 20 and the atmosphere has been closed the collapsing part 12 1S relieved of the suction action within the chamber 16 of the unit and is permitted to open under the action of the springs 9 on the arms 2. A

coilcd' com ression 5 rin 28 is dis osed between the bar 10 and the outer headed end of the rod 11 to cushion the thrust-action of the rod 11 on said bar and also to provide a yielding connection thcrebetween to cou'qi'ensnterlor a varying oi the thickness of a pile of sheets being acted on.

The tube '5 which opens communication between the picking up cups 4 and the suction conduit 6 has a valve 29 disposed therein and normally standing in position to 5 close passage through the tube. A stem pression spring 36 and is moved to open position against the tension of said sprmg by a collapsing movement of the movable part 32 of the operating unit 33. The collapsing of the bellows part 32 of the unit 33, which is controlled by the perforations in the master sheet 27, is timed to take 3 place when the picking up mouth pieces 4' have swung inwardly into contact with the upper sheet of a pile disposed on the table 1 so that the valve 29 will be opened to -permit a suction to take place through the tube 5 and mouth pieces to hold the engaged sheet to the mouth pieces. When the mouth pieces 4 have swung outwardly with the arms 2 the engaged-sheet is picked up and swung outwardly therewith and is then re leased to permit it to have a forward feeding movement due to the closing of the valve 29. v

37 designates the movable member of an electric switch, which, in the present instanceis of theknife type, said switch being 9 the in circhit with the motor 8 to control starting and stoppingof'said motor. The Q switch member 37 has connection through a thrust-rod 38 with the movable part 39 of a pneumatic operating unit 40 and has cone nection through a thrust-rod 41 with a movcircuit closing position and a collapsing the samei'type as shown in. Fig. 3 andeach has its suction passage 17 in communication atmosphere by a valve 47 'This valve,

which is of any suitable type, manually controlled for this purpose as its stem is able part 42 of a pneumatic'operati'n'g unit] i 43, whereby a collapsing movement of they I movable part of the unit 40 in the present instance will move. the switch member to' f 1 movement of the movable part of the unit a 1 43-will move the switch part to circuitopening'positiong Theunits 40 .and 43 are of f through tubes 44 and 45, respectively, with 6 I a tube 46, the outer or provided in the present instance with a push Y button 48 that is placed within convenient reach of the operator. -A spring 49 serves f to yieldingly close the valve 47.

The, passage unit 43 has communication with. the atmosphere through a tube 50, whichhas its 20 of the switch operating provided with a shoulder 53 between which Y movable part jecting therefrom and in engagement with.

and a portion of the outlet end of the tube 50 is disposed a compression spring 54, which serves to yieldingly retain the valve 51 in closed position as-shown. The valve 52 is also provided with a push button 55 which may be pressed by the operator to efiect a manual opening of the valve 51.

In order that the valve 5lmay be automatically opened when the last sheet of a pile has been removed from the table 1, I

provide the table 1 with an' 'opening 56 in register with the interior of each picking up mouth piece 4 when the mouth pieces have been swung inwardly to sheet picking up position. These openings 56 have commu-' nication through a tube 57 with the interior or an ordinary collapsing bellows 58, the

of which has an arm 59 prothe valve stem 52, whereby a movement of said arm, which is ment to the valve 51. This automatic means *for opening the valve 51 is not operative rest over the openings 56 in the table until the last sheet of a pile has been removed from the table 1 and the mouth pieces 4 lowered to sheet picking up position. When so-lowered the mouth pieces 1 and coiiperate with the tube 5 to open communication between saidopenings and'the suction conduit 6, it being understood that the valve 29 in the tube 5 then stands in open position. The closing in this manner of the communication between the tube 57 and suction conduit 6 efi'eots a collapsing of thebellows 58 and a consequent opening of the valve 51 to the atmosphere, thus permitting atmospheric pressure to enter the operating unit 43 through the tube 50 to efiect a collapsing of the movable part 43 of such unit and a consequent opening of the motor switch to stop the running of the motor.

It is evident that I have provided a stop mechanism for the actuating means of sheet printing or feeding apparatus, which means operable to stopthe actuatis automatically when the last sheet of a pile mg mechanism has been removed from a supporting part,

or is manually operable to stop the operat- 1111 of the actuating mechanism at any time. 55,

limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of I far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

wish it understood that my invention is the parts except in so While I have particularly referred to the operation of the pneumatic units as being effected by the admission of atmospheric pfigssure to the passages 20 thereof, it is not intended to restrict the invention in this spect, as such operation is ected by the efiected by a collapsing. of the bellows, will impart anopening movea sheet holding table sure, as used in the specification and claims as a generic meaning and has reference to the opening of the passages 20 of the operating units to any source of fluid pressure which is greater than the pressure in the chambe rs 16 of the operating units.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. In combination, an actuating means, a sheet holding table having an opening adapted to be covered by a pile of sheets carried thereby, a sheet picking up mechanism having a hollow mouth piece through which suction takes place, said mouth piece adapted to close over said table opening after the last sheet of a pile has been removed from the table, and means pneumatically operable to stop said actuating means when a suction is created in said table open ing from within said mouth piece.

2. In combination, an actuating means, a suction device, a sheet holding table having an opening adapted to be covered by a pile of sheets carried thereby, a sheet picking up mechanism having a suction mouth piece in valve controlled communication with said suction device and movable into position to seat closely over said opening when the last sheet of a pile has been removed from the table, and means pneumatically operable to stop said actuating means when a suction is created in said table opening from within said mouth piece.

3. In combination, an electric motor, a control switch for said motor, pneumatically operating means for opening said switch, a sheet holding table having an opening, means interposed between said opening and said operating means and operable by asuction action in said opening to effect a switch opening operation of said operating means, a suction device, and a sheet picking up mechanism having a suction mouth piece in communication with said suction device and adapted to close over and create a suction through said table opening after the last sheet of a pile has been removed from the table.

4. In combination, an actuating mechanism, means pneumatically operable to stop said mechanism upon the opening of an interior part thereof to atmospheric pressure,

a valve controlling the opening of said part,

having an opening therein which is covered by a pile of sheets on the table, means pneumatically operable by suction action in said opening to efi'e'ct an opening of valve, and means automatically operable after the removal of the 20 movable control'part for said means,

35 valve for closing 45 part to stop the last sheet of a pilefrom said table to create a suction within said table opening.

5. In combination, an electric motor, a switch for said motor, means pneumatically 5 operable to move said switch to open position to stop the motor when an'interior part of said means is opened to atmospheric pressure, a valve normally closing said interior part to the atmosphere, a sheet hold:

ing table having an opening therein adapted to be covered by a pile of sheets on the table, means pneumatically operable to open 'saijdvalve when suction occurs' in said table opening, and sheet delivering means having a suction pick up member which closes over and creates a suction in said opening when the last sheet of a pile has been removed from said table. j I

6. In combination, an actuating means, a a unit pneumatically operable to move said part to starting position when an interior portion of said unit has been opened to atmospheric pressure, and a manually controlled valve normally closing said interior portion of said unit to the atmosphere.

7; In combination, an actuatingmechanism, a control part for said mechanism, a suction device, means having communication with said suction device vand operable to move said control part to open position when communication has been opened-between an interior portion of said means and the atmosphere, anda manually operable the communication between the atmosphere and the interior portion of said means. 8. In c mbination, a motor, a control part 7 for said motor, a table having an opening 40 therein adapted to be covered by a pile of sheets onthe table, a pneumatic sheet delivery mechanism, and mechanism operable in cotiperation with said sheet delivery mechanism to effect a movement of said control in'otor after the last sheet of a pile has 'bBlllGliiOVOCl from said table. 3301' said motor, a sheet holding table having ran 0 cning'adapted to be covered by asheet o jc'arried thereby, a sheet feeding mechanism iiaving valve controlled suction parts for intermittently picking up and delivering 9. In combination, a motor, a control part movable part, said unit having coinmunication with said suction device and v'alve'controlled communication with the atmosphere and being operable to eiiect a positive mover,

inent of said movable part when, eommiini-v cation is opened with the atmosphere, and a member connected to said movable part and means for communicating movement from;

one to the other.

11. In combination, .a motor, a control part for said motor, a suction device, a,pneu-' matically operable unit having communica:

,tion with said suction device and manually j controlled communication with the atmosphere and operable to'move said control part to motor running position when com- IIliOSlQhQIGfQIId an interior portion of said unit, a seo'ond neumatically operable unit having communication with said suction de-' vice and valve controlled coinmunication said control part to motor stopping position when con'iiiiunication is established between the atmosphere and an interior part of said 86 with the atmosphere and operable to move I second unit, a sheetholding table, and means 90' pneumatically operable after the removal o the last sheet of a pile from the table to efiec an opening of the communication betw the atmosphere and the interior of Qsa 0nd unit to effect a imOVement ofth trol part to motor stoppin position In testimony whereof, have hereein signed my namefto' this specification presence of two subscribing witnesses; i

PHILLIP JACOB'DREHER. Witnesses:

E. E. THOMAS, M. H. M.armis.

so 1 munication is established between the ati i l 

